Well hello there, my dear readers. I've returned from the dead and will be using my account again from now on. I don't really have an excuse as to why I left, but I'm back now and that's all that matters.
I'd like to thank my beta, TheFemaleDoctor-Version 10, for reading over this first chapter and being so willing to help me. :) Without further ado, here's my newest story. Don't forget to review, favorite, and/or follow! ;)
When the signs describing a place called Terminus began popping up, that's when I began to question things. At first, I questioned my own sanity- was I just hallucinating the signs? Was I so desperate for safety and shelter that I imagined it all? When it got bad enough, I forced myself to touch each sign I came across to convince myself it was real. After that, I questioned the signs and what they meant.
"Sanctuary for all, community for all, those who arrive survive."
In my mind, I imagined a small house, barely able to hold twenty, small rations of food, and a repeat of every 'sanctuary' I'd had since the world pretty much collapsed. But then again, if that's all it was, why advertise and flaunt it so much?
That's the only reason I kept mythical Terminus in the back of mind, almost as an escape route. If anything went wrong, I could go to Terminus. If I ran out of supplies and couldn't find any more, I could go to Terminus. If I wanted to give up, I could go to Terminus. I didn't expect myself to need Terminus, but eventually... I gave up all hope.
It had hit me as I walked along the side of the railroad tracks one day like a sucker punch to the ribs. My family was long gone. My friends vanished a while ago. Every group I had been with rejected me for one reason or another. Every single day was a struggle, and waking up was a miracle in itself. If I just dropped dead, no one would know, no one would be sad... No one would care. It hurt me quite badly, and I wanted to change that. I wanted someone to care, I wanted to be in a place where I was accepted and loved.
That's what finally prompted me to go to Terminus- my desire to get my life back.
It took me a good four days on foot to make it to my location- Terminus. Because I was so exhausted and weak, my pace wasn't exactly fast. I'd barely make it a mile a day, and even that was too much. It weakened me further, and I had run dangerously low on supplies. But when I finally arrived, I cried from relief and joy. Instead of the small, shabby house I imagined, it was a huge train station that had been converted.
The lights that illuminated the walkway leading into the safehaven drew me in, and I stumbled inside. A sign advised those who entered to lower their weapons; I stuck my empty gun into my holster. I looked around in awe; there were vegetable gardens here and there, stations where clothes were out drying or waiting to be washed, and random- yet useful- objects strewn about on tables. It all seemed so normal, so peaceful. I kept going, and my feet led me to a courtyard.
It was empty and quiet. As I walked further, I could see tables, chairs, and a grill. My stomach rumbled at the mere thought of food.
"H-hello?" I croaked out, my voice hoarse and low from having not been used in so long.
All was silent for a few minutes until I heard a door open. A man who looked to be in his mid to late twenties came out from the building, wielding a flashlight, which he pointed at me. His lips moved, but I heard nothing. I began to sway a bit, and by the way the man looked at me, he noticed. As my eyesight went black and I pitched forward, the last thing I saw was the man rushing forward to catch me.
Bright light was what woke me up. My eyes fluttered open, and I saw that I was by a window with the curtains drawn back. The sun's were bright and warm. As I sat up, I observed my surroundings more. I was in a bed- an actual bed for the first time in months- in a small room that gave off a cozy feel. There were a few paintings on the walls, a dresser in the corner, and a small throw rug on the ground. A full length mirror was rested against the wall by the door. I remembered where I was... Terminus.
Slowly, I pulled myself out of the bed and stood. I was still weak and swayed slightly. Hesitantly, I made my way over to the mirror; it had been so long since I'd myself, far too long. I closed my eyes as I stood in front of the mirror. After a moment or two, I opened my eyes. What I saw made me want to cry. The last time I saw myself, I could vaguely remember myself looking lively and healthy and happy. The woman I saw looking back at me was anything but. She was extremely thin, to the point where it looked gross. Her once dark hair had been lightened to a dirty honey color and was far too long. Her eyes were dull and lifeless. She looked sad. Sad, depressed, hopeless, and afraid. It killed me to know that that woman was me.
Tears began to fall from my eyes, and not long after I collapsed to the ground, sobbing. I leaned up against the wall, my knees to my chest, sobbing. I cried for myself, I cried for my friends, I cried for my family, and I screamed in agony for the world. I screamed until my throat burned and my eyes stung from the tears. I could hear footsteps coming towards my door, faster and faster. The door swung open, and three people barged in. A middle aged woman, a man who looked to be in his mid twenties, and the man from the previous night. From the quick glance I gave them, I could see that they all resembled one another. A family, perhaps?
The woman wasted no time in getting down beside me and wrapping her arms around me like I was a fucking child. As much as I didn't like it, I didn't push her away. The man from the night before kneeled in front of me, and so did the other.
"Are you alright, Ella?" The man asked.
I wiped away my tears, and stared at him, confused. "H-how do you know my name?"
He smiled at me. "When your clothes got washed, we found your license." Upon seeing the look of horror on my face, he explained further. "Don't worry, no men saw you. One of the woman here changed and dressed you."
I nodded slightly, but it didn't change the fact that I was weirded out. "Who are you?"
"I'm Gareth, this is my brother, Alex, and our mother, Mary. We would have done this last night, but you weren't exactly in any state to be lectured. Looks like you'd been on the road for a good bit. Welcome to Terminus."